Tulare County Supervisors are taking steps to handle jail overcrowding. Tuesday they approved contracts to build a new jail in Porterville.
The facility will house over 500 inmates. Building it will cost almost $70 million.
Most of that will be paid by the state. Although, Tulare County is on the hook for almost $8 million.
Although officials say building the new jail will actually create savings in the long run. Currently, Tulare county spends about $500,000 a year for jail-related transportation.
The new facility will construction jobs and more permanent positions. Staffing the jail will likely require upwards of 100 new personnel.
Family members of people incarcerated who live in the South Valley will also stand to benefit. Not to mention the inmates themselves, who commonly complain of poor living conditions at repurposed county lockups.
TXT 24
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